The owner of a struggling traditional pub revealed he was forced to transform the spot into a restaurant to survive.

John Esqulant is combatting dwindling profits by revamping his former traditional White Stag village tavern in Monkton into a fully-fledged Italian.

The 44-year-old stressed the difficulties landlords face as scores of Kent pubs shut their doors amid intense financial pressure.

Having renamed his tavern near Canterbury the Olive Tree at White Stag Lodge, Mr Esqulant explained he is adapting to a food-focused establishment.

“Pubs are struggling but people still want to go out to eat and be sociable, so we adapted to help it survive”, he said.

“We’ve just given it a different kind of vibe.

“Due to its rural location, it needed a draw to make it a destination people want to drive out to.”

As drinking habits change and the cost-of-living crisis shows no sign of receding, many landlords across the county have needed to adapt.

The stark reality of the situation was recently made clear when relatively new innkeepers of The Chequers Inn, near Canterbury, said they would shut.

Paula Gilbert and Steve McHugh, who took over two years ago, told KentOnline they “feel like failures” after “trying everything" to prevent the business from nose-diving.

Untold pubs, restaurants and cafes are closing their doors for the last time due to sky-high energy bills, borrowing costs and staff shortages.

But Mr Esqulant, whose family has owned the land on which the Olive Tree was built for twenty years, remains spirited.

The Olive Tree, which also offers bed and breakfast, enjoyed a successful soft opening on March 1, where villagers were offered tastings.

Mr Esqulant said: “I want it to be the sort of place where my wife could come in and feel comfortable having a drink alone.

“All the locals were delighted to see it back open and a new sort of spin on the property.

“It seems to be quite successful at the moment.”

The food and front-of-house side of the business is being run by manager Sadiye Aktas who has opened several similar ventures in London.
A complete renovation has taken place and new gardens fit with fountains have been installed to give the venue a taste of the Mediterranean.

Bosses called the new decor “vibrant” and say food at their “hidden gem” brings “the Mediterranean to life”.

“You wouldn’t expect to find a Mediterranean restaurant in a former pub, especially not in Monkton,” they added.

The menu includes pasta, pizza and specials such as an Italian burger and salmon cooked in prosecco.

They also hope to draw customers with themed nights, including a planned cabaret this evening (Saturday March 30).